Using ‘It’s God’s Will’ as a Source of Comfort: Understanding Its Role Among Christian People

Using ‘It’s God’s Will’ as a Source of Comfort: Understanding Its Role Among Christian People

I. Introduction

I hear a lot of Christians saying, “It is the will of God or it is God’s will,” especially when they testify about something that happens in their lives. But there is something wrong with using that phrase. The question is, is it really God’s will, or, in the very first place, does it happen because of you, because of your own choices and decisions in life? Using this phrase, my reader, do you think it is a matter of trust and faith in the Lord or a matter of comfort for themselves? 

II. What Does “It’s God’s Will” Mean?

According to John Piper (2024), there are two Wills of God, first is the “God’s Will of Decree, or Sovereign Will” and the second is “God’s Will of command”. Piper (2024) emphasize that the first meaning of the will of God: It is God’s sovereign control of all things. We will call this his “sovereign will” or his “will of decree.” It cannot be broken. It always comes to pass. The other meaning for “the will of God” in the Bible is what we can call his “will of command.” His will is what he commands us to do. This is the will of God we can disobey and fail to do. The will of decree we do whether we believe in it or not. The will of command we can fail to do.

In other words, yung God’s will of Decree yon yung will ni Lord para sayo na dapat mangyari, that no matter what you do to avoid it at dahil part na siya ng plano ng Lord sayo ay still mangyayari. For instance, the will of the Father to his Son Jesus Christ that he must die so that the His will will happen. On the other hand, God’s Will of Command pertains to God’s instructions that we are expected to follow. For instance, when Scripture says, ‘Go and make disciples,’ it is a command rather and merely God’s will.

So, When you say, ‘It is the will of God,’ but you’re uncertain whether it truly aligns with God’s intentions, avoid saying, ‘It’s God’s will.’ Because you seems involving God to something you’ve done na hindi naman will or action Niya. We must understand we have still a “free will” at ginagamit natin ito when we make a choice and it has nothing to do with God and His will.

God’s will of decree, or sovereign will, was controlled by God. God’s will of command is God’s given will, but it is a matter of human choice whether to do it or not. Free will is a human choice and decision made independently.

However, God’s will of decree and God’s will of command are both the will of God, but both have different concepts. But the similarities are that both have an act of service to God. Kaya kung walang act of service sa Lord, yung will na ginawa mo hindi siya God’s will, free will mo yun.

III. Instances When Christians Use This Phrase

• Unexpected Events

Christian says that God’s will may not always be perfect, but it turns out good in the end. Ito yung dahilan kung bakit kahit pangit or maganda ang mangyari sa buhay nila palagi nilang sinasabi na ‘Baka will ni Lord dahil baka may mas maganda siyang plano.” Tapos may kasunog pa yan na “Kasi alam mo na sabi sa Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good". Oo nga naman, all things work together for good but do you think it is always relevant for every situation. Do you really think it is God’s will? How can you assure? Kasi nagpray ka? Kasi feeling mo?

• Personal Choices

Bakit palaging sinasabi ng mang Kristiano na ‘It’s God’s will’ na kahit pangit o maganda ang mangyari? Hindi makakuha ng trabaho, sasabihin God’s will. Nagkasakit ng malubha sasabihin God’s will. Hindi nakapasa o nakapasa sasabihin God’s will. Why does what always happened to us, even if it is our personal choice, always say God’s will? It has nothing to do with God. Hindi ka nakapasa sa college entrance exam tapos idadamay mo si Lord, ‘Kasi hindi yon will ni Lord para sakin’. Hindi ba pwede reality check na kasi ganyan talaga buhay sa Pilipinas mahirap makahanap ng trabaho, or kasi hindi mo lang talaga iningatan sarili mo kaya ka nagkasakit, or hindi ka lang talaga nagreview, or hindi ka lang talaga matalino kaya hindi ka nakapasa sa college entrance exam?

IV. The Comforting Aspect

I understand that Christians say that they believe in the will of God because they trust and have faith in Him. Yet we have to understand that not all that happens to us is the choice or will of God. Your personal choices and decisions must be blamed, not God’s will.

It happens, and that’s the reality. So don’t comfort yourself by using the phrase ‘It’s God’s will’ because you want to escape reality and you don’t want to feel disappointed. Pagkasalan mo kung bakit nangyari ‘wag mo ng gamitin ang phrase na yan just as used to comfort yourself, kasi parang dinadamay mo lang si Lord sa pagkakamaling mga choices and decisions mo sa buhay.

V. Conclusion

For many believers, the words "It's God's will" are comforting. It invites surrender and recognizes God's omnipotence. Putting your active faith in God to redeem even the most difficult circumstances is what it means to trust His plan, not to ignore reality.

But we have to be careful not to exploit this expression as a way out of having to face reality. Not all events are directly brought about by God's will. Individual decisions matter a lot. Not heavenly intervention, but our own acts may be the cause of our own doings.